Coast Guard Education Programs

Like the other military branches the Coast Guard offers its members great opportunities to get a college education. These programs are generally referred to as Voluntary Education or Vol Ed. The Coast Guard Institute offers the following programs to help Coast Guardsmen reach their education goals.

Tuition Assistance

If you are an Active Duty, Selective Reserve or Coast Guard federal employee, the Coast Guard will pay up to 100% of your college Tuition. Click here to get more information.

Tip: You may be eligible for more than one educational benefit. Knowing when each is best for your situation can save you money and ensure you get the most out of your benefits. Click here to get "Answers-at-Glance" before you start using your benefits.

SOCCOAST

SOCCOAST is the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) degree program for the Coast Guard.

SOCCOAST consists of colleges that offer associate and bachelor's degree programs on or accessible to Navy and Marine installations worldwide.

SOCCOAST colleges form networks in which each college accepts credits from all the others.

SOCCOAST guarantees that you and your adult family members can continue toward completion of your degrees even though the Marine Corps may transfer you several times. There are also degrees available by distance learning that require no classroom residency.

SOCCOAST Afloat

SOCCOAST Afloat consists of SOCCOAST institutions that have degree programs where you can fulfill requirements with stand-alone CD-ROM Courses. This media is necessary aboard ships and cutters where there is limited Internet connectivity. Currently, SOCCOAST Afloat is comprised of four institutions that have that capacity:

Coastline Community College

Excelsior College

Florida Community College at Jacksonville

Fort Hays State University

These institutions have a good reputation in providing courses afloat to other servicemembers. Other SOCCOAST institutions may join SOCCOAST Afloat as the concept is further developed and implemented.

More Coast Guard Resources

The Coast Guard Foundation Grant

If you are an active duty enlisted member the Coast Guard Foundation offers you an annual Education Grant. This grant program is open to active duty enlisted personnel in pay grades E-3 to E-9 with two or more years of Coast Guard service. This $350 grant may be used in conjunction with the Coast Guard Tuition Assistance Program, or other non-funded relevant education items.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA)

CGMA offers a Supplemental Education Grant (SEG) of up to $250 per year. You can use this grant for any family member's education expenses. However it does not cover Tuition expenses. This grant can also be used to pay for ASVAB, CLEP, SAT, and other study guides. CGMA also offers several education related loans.

Additional Education Assistance

Advanced Education Programs

There are many advanced education programs available for both enlistees and officers. These are currently announced by way of ALCOAST, ALCGENL, and other general distribution messages from Coast Guard Headquarters. To learn more about the current programs follow the link below

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill